HSE applies for planning for new base for specialist eye clinic in Laois

The HSE has applied for planning permission to provide an Ophthalmology Unit at Portlaoise Family Resource Centre. 

The HSE lodged a planning application with Laois County Council last week. 

They are seeking planning permission for a change of use at the Portlaoise Family Resource Centre, Knockmay, Portlaoise. 

The HSE has applied for a “change the use of existing HSE accommodation, located to the North of the building, at ground floor level, to provide a new Ophthalmology Unit, consisting of a Nurses Administration Room, 3No. Clinical Consulting Rooms and Ophthalmological Dark Room.” 

Last month Laois TD Brian Stanley welcomed confirmation that the specialist eye services would be transferred back to Laois.  

“Following my most recent engagement with the Minister for Health on this matter, I have received confirmation that the Outreach Eye Clinic will now be provided in Portlaoise Hospital and that a location has been identified in Portlaoise for transferring full Ophthalmology Services (Eye) back to the county. Funding has also been approved for a Consultant Ophthalmologist post,’’ Dep Stanley said in June. 

He described it as a welcome development. 

“A number of Constituents contacted me on an ongoing basis about the distance they have to travel to Athlone since the services were relocated there. This caused the most severe problem for residents in the south and east of the county, such as Errill, Rathdowney, Crettyard and Graiguecullen. In the absence of Public Transport, attending the clinic is very difficult,’’ he said. 

Dep Stanley said the HSE has confirmed that a location has been identified in Portlaoise, with planning and associated works expected to be completed late 2024/early 2025.

A decision on the planning application is expected to be made by September 11, 2024.